KIRSTY WEARS:
p and above:
Top, Sweaty Betty.
Leggings, Biba at
House of Fraser.
Trainers,
Deichmann.
Watch, Fitbit.
Fitness equipment,
Colets Health &
Fitness club
p (bottom left):
Jacket, Joseph
Ribkoff. Top, Betty
Barclay. Trousers,
Zara. Trainers,
ASOS. Watch, as
before. Bracelet, Jon
Richard. Bag, Nike If you’re planning to start a new exercise programme, we
recommend you check with your GP first – especially if you have
an existing health condition, such as high blood pressure or
diabetes. If you’re pregnant, check the suitability of the exercise
with your midwife.a fortnight she’d lost 7lbs and when
I saw her cuddling Freddie, I had a
sudden moment of clarity. I was over
19st now – if I carried on like this, I
might not be around for Freya when
she was Emily’s age. I knew my
weight put me at higher risk of
developing Type 2 diabetes or having
a heart attack. I took a deep breath,
called my mum, and we both joined
our local groups on the same day.
Getting started was easier than
I’d thought. I swapped my usual
breakfast of toast with butter and
jam for a sweet omelette – which
I made by mixing in vanilla essence and a pinch of
sweetener – with fruit. Instead of cheese sandwiches
for lunch, I had a filling salad topped with tinned
mackerel and my takeaway dinners were replaced
by home-cooked chilli or a salmon stir-fry with
noodles. I’d end the day with a treat from my Syns –
usually plain quark with a crushed meringue nest,
topped with fruit and a crumbled-up Rocky Road
Hi-fi bar, which I bought from group.
At group, I’d listened to other members talk
about Slimming World’s activity programme,
Body Magic, and what they were doing to get their
awards. It sounded like something I’d consider once
I reached my target weight. Then Emily told me
she’d been to a Bodypump class at our local leisure
centre and had loved it. By now I’d been at Slimming
World for a month and had lost a stone, and I
decided to join her. Although I made a beeline for
the back of the room, after that first session I felt
upbeat and energetic – a sensation I’d forgotten
existed! Even being a little stiff the next day felt good,
as it reminded me what I’d achieved.
For the next three weeks, I made sure to keep
my weights really low, so as not to overdo things or
hurt myself. Still, I noticed my energy levels growingand I was sleeping better. I soon felt confident
enough to add in a Bodycombat class, too – a martial
arts-inspired workout where you kicked and
punched the air. It left me breathless and exhausted...
and I was hooked! It wasn’t just my energy levels and
body shape that were changing – it was my attitude.
I began to look forward to going to the gym!Energy overhaul
Within six months, I had a completely different
image of myself. I was able to run around with Freya
and my grandson Freddie on days out at theme
parks. I even tried some of the rides – unthinkable
when I was at my biggest. In October 2016, just eight
months after joining Slimming World, I’d lost nearly
6½st and we went to Majorca on our first holiday
abroad in eight years. I wore size-14 dresses when
we went out for dinner and walked to the pool in
a tankini. Splashing about in the water with Freya,
the only thing I was thinking about was having fun.
Back home, I added in another Bodypump class
each week, gradually increasing my weights, too. I
didn’t just love looking toned – I loved the feeling of
being strong. Exercise used to be something I felt I
ought to do. Now it was something I wanted to do. It
was my ‘me’ time. I hit my revised target of 10st 5lbs
in September 2017. And a fortnight later, I turned 45.
Now, I do at least four fitness classes a week. I still
have to pinch myself when I remember that I’m fitter in
my 40s than I was in my 20s. I’m confident about the
way I look and I love my toned shoulders. Best of all,
I love having the energy to play with Freya. I can skip
down the road with her, or chase after her roaring like
a dinosaur. Seeing her little eyes light up makes me
so grateful I made the decision to change my lifestyle.
I’m never going to take my health for granted
again. I’m carrying on Food Optimising to maintain
my weight and I’m mixing up my fitness by trying
different classes, too. I know now that there’s nothing
wrong with starting something new and being
puffed out at the end of a class. I’ve done that and you
have to start somewhere – it’s the only way to begin
getting fitter. Nothing beats that feeling of coming
home from a class, refreshed, glowing and still able
to keep a four-year-old on her toes! Bodypump – at a glance
Bodypump, an instructor-led resistance class where
you lift weighted barbells to music, is available
throughout the UK. Each class is - minutes long,
including a warm-up and cool-down. Lifting weights
is good for bone health and increasing your lean
muscle, which boosts your metabolism so you burn
more energy, and helps to maintain your weight loss
once at target. For more information and to find your
nearest class, visit lesmills.combodypump SLIMMING WORLDINTERVIEW: NICOLA SKINNER. PHOTOGRAPHS: DAVID CUMMINGS. STYLING: ANNE HARTNETT HAIR & MAKEUP: LIZZIE COURT. SEE P FOR STOCKISTSREV1_Kirsty_BG.indd 104 14/11/2017 16:13